Countries More Similar to Florida than the US

_{Have you ever wondered which U.S. states resemble countries more closely than others? The Country – US State Comparisons are designed to quantify just that — measuring how similar each U.S. state is to different countries around the world relative to the United States. This index provides a data-driven way to make those comparisons. It equally weights five major factors: demographics, culture, politics, technology, and geography. Over 1,000 different data points are used to generate the results.}

Top 10 Countries More Similar to Florida than the US

Florida has a hotter climate than most areas of the United States. Furthermore, it has a much higher percentage of people that speak Spanish than overall US population. In addition, it has a higher percentage of people with African ancestry as well. As a result, Spanish-speaking and African countries with tropical climates dominate the list.

1. Equatorial Guinea is a predominantly Black African country, and Spanish is the official language, so that makes it uniquely more similar to Florida than other countries. There is a higher percentage of Catholics in Equatorial Guinea and Florida than the United States overall. In addition a high percentage of the inhabitants in Florida and Equatorial Guinea were not born there.
2. Bahamas just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. Many Americans vacation or even own property there. Both have extremely flat terrain and many beautiful beaches. Their lands tend to be very swampy and have a lot of pine forests. Historically, enslaved Africans were brought to work in the plantations of both the Bahamas and Florida.
3. Guinea-Bissau is located in West Africa between Guinea and Senegal. Both Florida and Guinea-Bissau have coastal, flat, swampy terrain. They also have a similar population density. In addition, Guinea-Bissau and Florida have low taxes, but also have relatively few rights for their workers.
4. Dominican Republic is a Spanish-speaking nation that borders the Caribbean Sea. Both Florida and the Dominican Republic have a mix of people with European and African ancestry. Both of their economies rely a lot on tourism. They also have high rates of urbanization as well.
5. Cuba and Florida are closely linked through migration. Just 90 miles separate their coasts, so Florida has many Cubans. Cuba, like Florida and the Dominican Republic, has a mix of people with European and African ancestry. In addition, these places are both relatively flat and have a lot of coastline.
6. El Salvador, 7. Haiti, 8. Togo, 9. Burundi, 10. Gabon

(Note: if French Guiana was an independent country it would have ranked as number 1 on this list)

Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Florida than the US

The countries with less traits in common with Florida than the United States overall tend to be much more mountainous. Most are located at a higher latitude and therefore have a more colder climate. Furthermore, these countries tend to be more liberal politically than Florida.

1. Canada is located to the north of the United States and has a much colder climate than Florida. In addition, the laws in Canada tend to be more liberal than the laws in Florida. It has a lower percentage of Spanish-speaking people than Florida and the US overall.
2. China and the United States have a much more diverse set of climates than Florida. Unlike in China, little manufacturing or mining is done in Florida. Furthermore, their demographics are far different. Florida has relatively few people with East Asian ancestry.
3. New Zealand is one of the most progressive and secular countries in the world, while Florida is more conservative and religious. In addition, it has few Spanish speakers or people with African ancestry, since most of its citizens have roots in Northern Europe.
4. Australia has a much drier climate than Florida, with large desert regions and frequent droughts. Its population is also more spread out and less dense along the coasts. Culturally, Australia tends to be more secular and socially liberal than Florida.
5. Azerbaijan has a rugged, mountainous terrain and a colder continental climate in many regions, unlike the flat and humid environment of Florida. Oil and gas dominate the economy in Azerbaijan, while Florida relies on tourism.
6. Russia, 7. Austria, 8. Turkey, 9. Norway, 10. Switzerland

Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Florida than the US

All data accurate as of 2025.